SAN FRANCISCO — Troy Tulowitzki mimicked his swing and jogged the bases early Friday afternoon. There was improvement, but still tightness in his right quadriceps. As a result, he is not starting against the Giants, missing his second straight game.

“It feels much better. They asked and I said I feel a little something. They want to be cautious,” Tulowitzki said. “I expect to be out there on Saturday.”

The all-star prevented a shutout in the 10-1 loss to the Marlins with the kind of swing that makes him the most talented Colorado player since Larry Walker. In the sixth inning, he barreled a Jose Fernandez fastball, sending it roughly 430 feet over the right-center field fence.

Gonzalez admired his home run as if it were hanging in the Louvre. He does this on occasion. This had purpose. It was his jab at Fernandez, one of his favorite opponents, who stared at Gonzalez as he reached first base on his trot.

Charlie Blackmon, left, of the Colorado Rockies scores a third inning run during a spring training game at Peoria Stadium on March 5, 2014 in Peoria, Arizona. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

MIAMI — Spring training stats matter when they matter. When it comes to center field, manager Walt Weiss hedged his bet all spring, saying that last season carried more weight and that March wasn’t a tryout camp.

So it is that Charlie Blackmon is starting and leading off on Monday night against Miami’s Jose Fernandez.

Blackmon batted .236 in the spring, but his strong second half a year ago never left Weiss’ memory as he constructed an odd roster. The Rockies are carrying six outfielders, giving Weiss plenty of options and a challenge to find playing time for reserves Corey Dickerson, Drew Stubbs and Brandon Barnes.

Owner Dick Monfort explained the decision in a letter sent to season-ticket holders on Sunday night.

The black-and-purple bruise (appropriate Rockies colors) has left him limping, and he’s out of the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Giants.

That’s too bad, because Jorge De La Rosa is pitching Wednesday, and the two need to get on the same page. In De La Rosa’s last start, there was a short circuit between the two, with De La Rosa shaking off Rosario multiple times.

Rockies backup catcher Jordan Pacheco was scratched from Monday’s Cactus League game against the Mariners Monday because of a left shoulder strain. (Denver Post file photo)l

PEORIA, ARIZ. — Rockies backup catcher Jordan Pacheco is scheduled to undergo a precautionary MRI on his left shoulder Monday afternoon.
Pacheco was originally in the lineup to start against the Mariners in a Cactus League game against the Mariners. He hurt his shoulder Monday morning during drills before the Rockies departed for Peoria.

Pacheco, who’s developed into a solid defensive catcher, came into camp as the primary backup to Wilin Rosario. The Rockies also brought in Michael McKenry to camp to compete for the backup job.

SCOTTSDALE — The Rockies have stressed situational hitting early in camp. There are multiple rounds where players work on moving runners over by hitting to the right side, driving runners in with the infield back and hitting fly balls with a runner on third and less than two outs.

Manager Walt Weiss plans to give Rosario work at first base during camp, the idea being that if Rosario can fill in at first, the Rockies can get his powerful bat in the lineup more often. Rosario is fine with that.

“The only thing I know is that I want to win and do the best thing I can for my team,” Rosario said. “I’m not going to be that great player like (Todd) Helton or (Justin) Morneau at first, but I want to be a player. If they need me there, I will prepare.”

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — I just got back to the Rockies’ office complex at Salt River Field after watching Tuesday’s morning practice. Here are some early camp observations:

* Pitching prospects Jon Gray (he says he prefers Jon to Jonathan) and Eddie Butler threw their first official big-league bullenpen sessions. They worked side by side and the contrast was striking. Gray, last year’s first-round pick, is tall and powerful. His delivery is smooth and classic. His fastballs exploded into catcher Wilin Rosario’s mitt.

Butler, shorter, more compact, has a more unorthodox delivery, but he was consistently down in the strike zone. The terrific movement on his pitches — his calling card — was clearly evident.

* It’s very clear why the Rockies brought catcher Michael McKenry into camp to compete for a backup job. He’s a vocal, passionate veteran presence. He caught Butler’s bullpen session and worked hard to make sure Butler was hitting his locations and releasing the ball from the proper arm slot. In short, McKenry was teaching. I see a future career in coaching/managing for McKenry when his playing career is finished.

Rockies’ owner Dick Monfort, left, answered questions for more than an hour on Twitter, regarding several topics, including his team’s chances this season. (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)

Rockies owner Dick Monfort took to Twitter on Tuesday, answering fans questions for more than an hour. He said, among other things, that the Rockies can post 90 wins if healthy, that top prospects Jonathan Gray and Eddie Butler could reach the big leagues this year and that general manager Dan O’Dowd has earned his job security. Monfort also revealed that he likes Jay-Z and Frank Sinatra. The questions and answers taken from @Rockies:

Colorado Rockies Gnome Dolls, as seen from the front in this photo taken Jan. 31, 2014. (Courtesy of the Colorado Rockies)

The games are the draw. But the gnomes are the thing. At least that’s the case for the Rockies this season as their home schedule features four gnome giveaways, including the Michael Cuddyer Batting Champion. Reached Thursday, Cuddyer approves of the model.

“The gnome is cool. I don’t think I look like a gnome so it’s fine that it doesn’t look like me!” Cuddyer said with a laugh. “I really like the cool accents on it with the silver bat and my signature on the back.”

After failed attempts to sign free agents Carlos Ruiz and Brian McCann, the Rockies recommitted to starting catcher Wilin Rosario. However, they need protection defensively since Rosario’s backup is Jordan Pacheco, who hasn’t caught regularly in two seasons.

To provide depth and competition in camp, the Rockies have signed former prospect Michael McKenry to a one-year, $750,000 minor-league deal.

McKenry, 28, hit .217 with three home runs in 41 games for the Pirates last season. The Rockies drafted him in the seventh round in 2006. The 5-foot-10, 210-pounder, nicknamed “Quadzilla” for his Teenage Mutant Ninja-like legs, made his big-league debut with Colorado in 2010.

The Rockies search for Todd Helton’s replacement has left them focusing on Justin Morneau. Morneau is considered a strong defender, and a weapon against right-handed pitching. (Denis Poroy, Getty Images)

Justin Morneau won American League MVP honors in 2006. He finished second in 2008. He’s not that guy.

Justin Morneau won the Home Run Derby in 2008 at Yankee Stadium, something everyone forgets because of Josh Hamilton’s breathtaking performance in the preliminary rounds. He’s not that guy.

But can Morneau be a guy who helps the Rockies? It’s possible for a number of reasons.

First, he’s a realistic target. Unlike their failed bids for Jose Abreu (six-year, $63-million), Carlos Ruiz (two-year, $15 million with club option) and Brian McCann (unknown, but likely in the $60 million range), the Rockies are not competing with big market clubs for Morneau. No White Sox, no Phillies, no Yankees. At least not publicly.

Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario is playing in the Dominican Republic this winter for a handful of games, sharpening his defense. If the Rockies don’t sign Carlos Ruiz, Wilin Rosario will likely return as the Rockies’ starting catcher. (Denver Post file photo)

The Rockies made their bid for free agent catcher Carlos Ruiz on Monday night, offering a two-year deal with an option for approximately $15 milion, but leaving them short of their competition.

Their chances of landing the catcher, who will turn 35 in January, nosedived when the Rockies were told he has a two-year, $20-million proposal on the table from another team. Colorado will not reach that number, a source with direct knowledge of their talks said on Tuesday. Until Ruiz signs, the Rockies will hold pat, hoping he considers their bid. Their reluctance to go higher on Ruiz is related directly to his age.

Ruiz is a strong defender, and the Phillies’ pitchers have asked management to keep him. He has found a robust market with the Red Sox and Blue Jays also interested.

It was a perfect night for baseball in St. Louis before Game 3. Prior to Game 2, the Red Sox had won eight straight World Series games, including a sweep of the Rockies in 2007. (Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post)

ST. LOUIS — Todd Helton’s successor was briefly within reach last week, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the Rockies’ bid for free agent first baseman Jose Abreu.

The Rockies aggressively pursued the Cuban superstar. I reported last week that they placed multiple bids on the 6-foot-3, 250-pound slugger. The amount was unknown. This weekend, sources said the Rockies reached $63 million, just shy of the White Sox’s winning bid of six years, $68 million.

Rockies’ ownership gave clearance to spend the money on Abreu. It’s unlikely that the Rockies would reach $60 million on another free agent this winter. Abreu was unique because of his age — he’s 26 — and power. Given the success of countrymen Yoenis Céspedes and Yasiel Puig, he represented a worthy gamble.

Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario will have a new coach next season. (Denver Post file photo)

The Rockies’ offseason shuffled continued Thursday with the club announcing that catching coach Jerry Weinstein — who worked tirelessly to improve Wilin Rosario’s skills behind the plate — has been reassigned. The Rockies said Weinstein will have “an undetermined role on the organization’s player development staff.”

Longtime major league coach and former manager Rene Lachemann, who served as the Rockies’ first-base coach this past season, will assume Weinstein’s duties handling the catchers and defensive positioning.

Rockies owner Dick Monfort, in letter to season-ticket holders, mentions Nolan Arenado’s success as a reason to be optimistic for next season. (The Associated Press)

This is the letter sent to Rockies’ season ticket holders by owner Dick Monfort:

I want to begin by once again expressing our heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the thousands of Colorado residents, their families and friends who have been directly affected by the horrific floods throughout our state.

I also want to share our appreciation and congratulations to the organization’s iconic first baseman for the past 17 years. Todd Helton’s impact on this organization, the game of baseball and Rockies fans throughout the country, will never be forgotten. We will miss seeing #17 take the field and we will carry forward the images and memories he has helped create for each of us. Todd’s final game at Coors Field was a magical evening at the ballpark and we hope that you had the opportunity to be a part of it. For any of you that wish to relive that night, or view special moments and celebrate Todd’s career with photos and video content, you can click on rockies.com/thankstodd.

Before looking back at 2013, I want to look forward to next season for a moment. We will not raise season ticket prices for the 2014 season. Also, because of your positive response to the 20th Anniversary Card, the card will continue next season as a Season Ticket Holder “Loyalty Card”. We hope you will enjoy all the benefits it brings. Read more…

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.